Astros aspire to topple Arrieta, Cubs again
Alex Bregman struggled mightily in his first few weeks of MLB action. Now, though, the rookie third baseman is one of the Astros’ most indispensable pieces.
He’ll need to muster additional heroics tonight if Houston’s serious about taking two of three from the MLB-best Cubs. The two teams meet at 8:05 p.m. ET, with handicappers at online sports book Bovada.lv leaning toward Chicago. A.J. Hinch’s group, on the other hand, represents a +133 home underdog. The over/under run figure sits at 7.5.
Houston edged Joe Maddon’s crew yesterday, 2-1, thanks largely to Bregman’s crucial homer in the third inning. After hitting .030 in his initial 34 at-bats in the bigs, he’s bashing at a .390 clip since Sept. 2 Over that same span, the second overall choice in the 2015 draft also boasts three dingers and 11 RBIs.
Mike Fiers will gladly accept another banner performance from the 2_-year-old. The righty typically fares well enough on his own when confronted by the Cubbies, though, having gone 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA against them as a member of the Brewers. Fiers comes off a start vs. the Indians in which he scattered seven hits over five innings.
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Meanwhile, Maddon has the luxury of turning to Jake Arrieta. The reigning Cy Young winner owns a 2-1 mark with an impeccable WHIP in four interleague assignments this year. Yet he’s never faced the Stros.
It’s somewhat tempting to side with the hosts, but logic dictates that Chicago won’t drop two straight at Minute Maid Park. Watch as Arrieta records his 17th triumph on the season, pushing his brethren to 40-31 away from Wrigley Field.
SUNDAY MLB FREE PICK: CUBS -1.5